25 May PUTTING FIRST THINGS FIRST

Habit 3: Putting First things First

In the first habit we discussed the importance of taking responsibility for your life and what happens to you.  The second habit looked at leadership- accessing your right brain and creating a mental picture of what you want for your life.  The third habit is about management of that vision, and making it a reality. 

We often tell job seekers that looking for a job, is a job in itself. 

There are four generations of time management:-

1. To do lists and tasks
2. Diaries and planners
3. Goal setting
4. Prioritizing

If you want more time to spend on the important things in life and achieving your goals, then you need to take control of your life and start scheduling in what is important.  If you are not proactive and take control of your activities, your activities start controlling you, and you will spend most of your time in crisis management, and less time in planning and making your goals a reality.

1. Have a look at all the aspects of looking for a job:-

• Creating a vision or mission statement for what kind of job you want (habit 2)
• Drawing up a professional CV
• Getting your CV to potential employers
• Succeeding in interviews
• Taking control of the feedback

2. Next, set at least one goal for the week ahead for each aspect that you have listed as important:-

• Creating a vision or mission statement for what kind of job you want (habit 2)
  1. Draw up a list of all the things you liked and disliked about your last/ current job
  2. Do a behavioural profile to determine what jobs you are best suited to
• Drawing up a professional CV
  1. Re-type your old, hard copy CV in a document that is easy to edit and update
  2. Get a professional photo to put on your CV
• Getting your CV to potential employers
  1. Send your CV to three employment agencies
  2. Load your CV onto one job portal
• Succeeding in interviews
  1. Research three commonly asked interview questions, and write down answers
• Taking control of the feedback process.
  1. Follow up with two companies that you have sent your CV to

3. Finally, schedule the goals that you have set for yourself into the week ahead. Make them a priority.  When you are offered a less important way to spend your time, act with integrity towards yourself, and honour your commitment to yourself. 

Make sure to schedule some time in your week to uplift yourself and work on yourself.  People get too wrapped up in achieving goals and ticking items off their to- do list, that they forget that it is important to spend time on yourself and your spirit. 

You can apply the above method to any role that you play in your life.  If you are a parent, and it is important to spend quality time with your children, schedule to read them a bedtime story, and make it a priority.  If you want to get healthier, schedule to take a walk twice this week at lunch time and make it a priority.  Honour your word to yourself. 

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!

(inspired by “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey.